Seattle, Washington — Sigi Schmid‘s eight-year tenure in Seattle has come to and end.
The Sounders announced on Tuesday that him and the club have agreed to mutually part ways. This comes during a challenging 2016 season where the Rave Green currently find themselves ninth in the Western Conference and ten points out of a playoff spot. The club also has just one win in their last seven MLS regular season games.
OFFICIAL: #Sounders, Sigi Schmid mutually agree to part ways:http://sndrs.com/8yet
Seattle Sounders Part Ways with Head Coach Sigi Schmid
Sounders owner Adrian Hanauer released a statement along with the announcement of Schmid’s departure thanking him for his contribution to the organization. He also stated the need for a new direction.
“Sigi Schmid has been an invaluable member of Sounders FC since the club’s MLS launch, leading our organization to numerous trophies and a consistent winning culture for seven seasons,” Hanauer said. “Sigi departs the club with our utmost respect and gratitude for his years of service. Ultimately the club and Sigi agreed that a change was needed at this time, but Sigi’s legacy will always be a part of our history. He has my sincere appreciation for all that he committed to our team and community.”
Schmid was named head coach in 2009, coinciding with the club’s move to MLS. Over the course of his time with the Sounders, the club was among the more successful in the league. This was especially true in U.S. Open Cup play. Seattle captured the trophy four times under Schmid including three in a row from 2009-2011.
